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design219 · Nov 19, 2009, 12:20 PM

I think some advertising campaigns are better than others, but I can't say I've ever been enticed by advertising (that I'm conscious of) unless a product is so obviously good that just becoming aware of it is enough to make a purchase. I don't think name recognition alone is enough anymore... at least it's not for me.

Any ad campaigns you think are really effective, or caused you to make a purchase? And how about ads on the web, anybody ever follow them?

ort888 · Nov 19, 2009, 12:23 PM

You are. Anyone who thinks they aren't is lying to themselves.

Laminar · Nov 19, 2009, 12:24 PM

Read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink before answering.

The Final Dakar · Nov 19, 2009, 12:26 PM

I'm quite susceptible to product design. I suppose that's not really surprising coming from a an Apple consumer.

Jawbone54 · Nov 19, 2009, 01:20 PM

I'm absolutely swayed by advertising. As ort888 said, we all are.

My impulsive, ADD nature makes me especially susceptible, and I know that, but there are some types of advertisements that actually turn me off of the product. Microsoft is an obvious example, but Intel's recent commercials are actually starting to make me hate the company.

osiris · 02:04 PM

I love advertising as a brainwashing medium, having worked in the industry for over a decade. I'm somewhat immune to most of it, though I do have a fondness for bad advertising. Most notable was a female underwear campaign featuring "normal' women (actually grossly overweight beasts). The ads were pulled in a month because many people complained about spontaneous vomiting. Seriously, they were pulled because they were gross. Nothing worse than swaying the minds of beasts into thinking that they're svelte little jaguars. (I bet sales went up though!)

Some ads fail miserably because they contain lies so blatant, that only a moron would believe it. Jawbone54 mentioned Microsoft's ads- particularly the ffffffilmmaker ad were the guy wants to "cut video" using a Microsoft product... Geezus tap dancing Christ at a bowling alley, what filmmaker would use a Microsoft product to do anything? Oy vey, like that swayed me - to turn off the tv whenever I see a Microsoft logo. I need a drink now.

SpaceMonkey · Nov 19, 2009, 01:56 PM

Ba-da-ba-ba-baaaa...I'm lovin' it!

cjrivera · Nov 19, 2009, 02:18 PM

Oh Lisa, that's a load of rich creamery butter.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

You are. Anyone who thinks they aren't is lying to themselves.

No.

Right now there's an ad for a gold card at the top of this page. Why would I want a gold card?

I can honestly say I've never been influenced by an ad since I stopped buying GI Joes with my pocket money. Ads may make me aware of a product's existence, but that's all.

smacintush · Nov 19, 2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

No.

Right now there's an ad for a gold card at the top of this page. Why would I want a gold card?

I can honestly say I've never been influenced by an ad since I stopped buying GI Joes with my pocket money. Ads may make me aware of a product's existence, but that's all.

I basically agree with this.

Laminar · Nov 19, 2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

I basically agree with this.

...

Originally Posted by Laminar

Read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink before answering.

mattyb · Nov 19, 2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Right now there's an ad for a gold card at the top of this page. Why would I want a gold card?

You've obviously been swayed to get yourself a gold card, the advert is actually for a type of friends united site. You subconsciously thought that you needed a gold card to impress your old school chums.

You're an advertising exec's dream Doof, sorry.

osiris · Nov 19, 2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

No.

Right now there's an ad for a gold card at the top of this page. Why would I want a gold card?

I can honestly say I've never been influenced by an ad since I stopped buying GI Joes with my pocket money. Ads may make me aware of a product's existence, but that's all.

What ad?

Spheric Harlot · Nov 19, 2009, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

No.

Right now there's an ad for a gold card at the top of this page. Why would I want a gold card?

I can honestly say I've never been influenced by an ad since I stopped buying GI Joes with my pocket money. Ads may make me aware of a product's existence, but that's all.

I'm pretty sure you're deluding yourself on some level, unless you're living pretty much exclusively off local produce and only buy commercial products for which there is only a single option - whether due to a constrained market or to the fact that every other product on the market makes you break out in hives.

Or unless you live *exclusively* off stuff you buy because you've ALWAYS bought it, and nothing new ever enters your life.

I've read of a study that found that the ads with the profoundest effect are the ones you DON'T remember seeing - the ones people remember as "oh yeah, great commercial" actually have little effect in themselves, except as a buzz generator.

Also, I'd count being made aware of a new generation of Mac Pros and thus being likely not to postpone a purchase any longer than necessary as "being swayed by advertising" - away from your currently-owned product.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

I'm pretty sure you're deluding yourself on some level, unless you're living pretty much exclusively off local produce and only buy commercial products for which there is only a single option - whether due to a constrained market or to the fact that every other product on the market makes you break out in hives.

I'm pretty sure I've never seen an ad for the French soap I use. Or for the Maxon OD-820. Or the Egyptian towels in my bathroom.

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

Or unless you live *exclusively* off stuff you buy because you've ALWAYS bought it, and nothing new ever enters your life.

When I feel the need for something new, I go look for it.

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

I've read of a study that found that the ads with the profoundest effect are the ones you DON'T remember seeing - the ones people remember as "oh yeah, great commercial" actually have little effect in themselves, except as a buzz generator.

I don't remember seeing many ads at all. That's what comes of not owning a TV or taking a newspaper.

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

Also, I'd count being made aware of a new generation of Mac Pros and thus being likely not to postpone a purchase any longer than necessary as "being swayed by advertising" - away from your currently-owned product.

I didn't see any advertising for that. I don't think it was even second-hand advertising which caused me to be aware of the new MP - IIRC, it was a completely random thing as I was budgeting for a new rig.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

You've obviously been swayed to get yourself a gold card, the advert is actually for a type of friends united site.

It is? I don't know, I didn't click on it - looked like an ad for a gold card to me. Why would I want a gold card - am I about to be become poor or something?

Originally Posted by mattyb

You subconsciously thought that you needed a gold card to impress your old school chums.

Wouldn't turfing up in a Gemballa Avalanche be more impressive? Or even just a letter saying "you are all peasants and unfit to be in my presence"?

The Final Dakar · Nov 19, 2009, 03:03 PM

Post! The! Ad!

Let the community decide.

osiris · Nov 19, 2009, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Post! The! Ad!

Let the community decide.

It was all over NYC and LA over a decade ago. I can't even recall the brand name, sorry.

smacintush · Nov 19, 2009, 03:21 PM

Maybe women have body issues because they are grossly overweight beasts?

olePigeon · Nov 19, 2009, 03:24 PM

Why would anyone be swayed by commercials?

Josie and the Pussycats is the best movie ever!
Join the Army.

olePigeon · Nov 19, 2009, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

Maybe women have body issues because they are grossly overweight beasts?

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:27 PM

Love the Yahtzee sig, olePig.

smacintush · Nov 19, 2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Love the Yahtzee sig, olePig.

I thought he was rolling to recharge?

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

I thought he was rolling to recharge?

Huh?

I just got a three-of-a-kind. Scored points, that did.

olePigeon · Nov 19, 2009, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Love the Yahtzee sig, olePig.

Hehe, yeah. It's fun.

I've only ever gotten 1 Yahtzee on it. The sig is used on a private forum, but I though it'd be fun to use it here.

smacintush · Nov 19, 2009, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Huh?

I just got a three-of-a-kind. Scored points, that did.

Obscure D&D reference.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

B. We spend too much effort telling women they are fine being a fat cow who suffer health issues and die younger than necessary, because we don't want to give them "body issues".

I find this to be a very interesting juxtaposition against Ort's first post in this thread. If that post is to be taken at face value, then it's probably all the Burger King ads which are making most of said women "grossly overweight beasts", as they sit in front of the TV stuffing their faces with whatever was advertised yesterday.

Bizarre.

As usual, the solution involves introducing one's sledgehammer to the TV.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

Obscure D&D reference.

Ahh. They don't let us chaotic evil types play that, thus no frame of reference.

The Final Dakar · Nov 19, 2009, 03:44 PM

This thread has gone from "grossly overweight beasts" to grossly overgeneralized opinions.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

This thread has gone from "grossly overweight beasts" to grossly overgeneralized opinions.

It hit "grossly over-generalised opinions" by post two.

The Final Dakar · Nov 19, 2009, 03:50 PM

You guys are taking it to the next level.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 03:52 PM

Is that a fact or an opinion?

ort888 · Nov 19, 2009, 03:54 PM

Pretty sure this is the ad campaign he was referring to.

Boy howdy, did I just throw up in my mouth. What a bunch of subhuman cows. They should be home in their basements, feverishing running on a treadmill in a futile effort to rejoin the general populace as women deemed to be of acceptable attractiveness...

The Final Dakar · Nov 19, 2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Is that a fact or an opinion?

If you have to ask, you'll never know.

smacintush · Nov 19, 2009, 04:00 PM

I'd hit 'em.

Well, at least the white ones.
Yes, that was a joke.

The Final Dakar · Nov 19, 2009, 04:00 PM

Hahaha, let's see if that can start a new flurry of hell.

Doofy · Nov 19, 2009, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

I'd hit 'em.

What with?

Spheric Harlot · Nov 19, 2009, 04:02 PM

Oh yeah, that campaign! That was less than a decade ago, though.

And they didn't just use fat beasts, they also used withered hags:

(one of my fave adverts ever)

ThinkInsane · Nov 19, 2009, 04:03 PM

If you take exception with what Osiris wrote, discuss it in a reasonable manner. And lets try to stay on topic please and thank you.

Goldfinger · Nov 19, 2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

What with?

With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry.

smacintush · Nov 19, 2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

What with?

Is this a trick question?

Gankdawg · Nov 19, 2009, 04:19 PM

Nope.

Except the ones that adcritic.com posted a decade ago.

- - e r i k - - · Nov 19, 2009, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

you are. Anyone who thinks they aren't is lying to themselves.

qft™

SSharon · Nov 19, 2009, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink before answering.

I just finished Outliers and it was fantastic. His other books, including Blink, are next on my reading list.

Shaddim · Nov 19, 2009, 06:34 PM

Most advertising has an adverse effect on me, the more I see an ad the more I get annoyed with the product and company.

Laminar · Nov 19, 2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by SSharon

I just finished Outliers and it was fantastic. His other books, including Blink, are next on my reading list.

I keep seeing it in airport bookstores but I don't want to pay the premium for the hardback. The Tipping Point was good, but be sure you read Freakanomics, too, as the different explanations for the same problem are interesting.

ghporter · Nov 19, 2009, 10:24 PM

Am I swayed by advertising? Yes, but not the way the advertisers want me to be. I see an ad campaign in terms of creativity, accuracy, how it engages the viewer/reader, and other technical measures.

For example, the current Verizon campaign intended to make it look like there are only about 3 acres in all of the Continental US that have 3G coverage from AT&T, while Verizon's coverage is overflowing. It's clever, but grossly inaccurate, and both condescending and rude to potential or current Verizon customers. To me this campaign fails. On the other hand, the Orbitz "price assurance check" campaign, with the guy showing up in a hovercraft, is clever, engaging, amusing, and accurate, in spite of the exaggeration implied by the personal delivery of the checks. There's a big difference between showing fake maps (which studies show people accept as correct without question-especially if they only are allowed a glimpse of them) and showing some dude in a jumpsuit showing up in a hovercraft. Oh, and AT&T is suing Verizon over this campaign's inaccuracy.

That my mom worked in advertising for 30 years and that I did summer work at her agency certainly helped me view all advertising with a critical eye, but much of my approach also comes from personal research into advertising claims-which often turn out to be all air and no balloon.

Phileas · Nov 19, 2009, 10:57 PM

Anybody who claims that he/she isn't influenced by advertising is fooling themselves, including the elusive Doofy.

People like me spend considerable amounts of brain power to influence and cajole you without you even noticing it.

ort888 · Nov 19, 2009, 11:24 PM

I see my posts have been removed from the thread. Very lame.

SSharon · Nov 19, 2009, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Phileas

Anybody who claims that he/she isn't influenced by advertising is fooling themselves, including the elusive Doofy.

People like me spend considerable amounts of brain power to influence and cajole you without you even noticing it.

I'm sure I ended up buying something because of advertising, but I agree that all it does for me consciously is raise awareness of some product.

Some ads have a 0% chance of affecting my purchasing decision. For example I keep kosher so no matter how amazing the burger king ad is I'm still never setting foot in their restaurant.

I will also never fly a specific airline because of their ads. I find the cheapest flight to where I want to go at the times I want and that's that.

Car commercials are equally pointless to me. I don't expect to ever buy a car more frequently than once every ten years and I'm not impressed by jeeps driving on mountain tops or through the snow.

I block most ads online and fast forward through all of them on TV so I don't watch too many of them. I will watch an ad for a new product or service I have never heard of, but more as a source of news than anything else.